Hydraulic mining apparatus



(No Model.) I a Sheets-Sheet 1'.

A. MoDOUGALL. HYDRAULIC MINING APPARATUS. .NO. 547,496. I Patented 0013.8, 1895.

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A. MGDOUGALLI HYDRAULIC MINING APPARATUS.

No 547,496. Patented 001;. 8, 1 895.

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ANDREW 5.6RAHAM. PHOTG-UI'NuWASNINGTDND C.

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A. McDOUGALL. HYDRAULIC MINING APPARATUS.

No.54'7,496. Patented0ct.8, 1895.

RN DREW BARANAMJNDTO Lrmo WASHINGTOPLDC ,l-rti'rsn TATES ALEXANDERMODOUGALL, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA.

HYDRAULIC MINING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 547,496, dated October8, 1895, Application filed May 16, 1895- fierial No.549,588. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER MoDoU- GALL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at- Duluth, in the county of St. Louis and State ofMinnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inHydraulic Mining Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention relates to a new and improved dredging apparatus which isparticularly adapted for the mining of sand and gravel containing goldand other precious metals. In Patent No. 531,7 4L0, granted to meJanuary 1, 1895, for a method of and apparatus for mining gold and othermetals I described and claimed an improved apparatus and method fordredging this kind of material. I had found that in many of the riversof the northwestern parts of this country there were large deposits ofsand and gravel, rich in gold, but which were so commingled with rocksand bowlders or else were packed so tightly as to make it impracticableto successfully dredge the same by means of centrifugal pumps. Itherefore invented the process described in that patent of firstremoving from the bottoms of such rivers these obstructions, or else infirst loosening the sand and gravel from the hard-packed bank and thenremoving the sand and gravel by means of a centrifugal pump. In this wayI was enabled to successfully work in localities which had beenabandoned by reason of the difficulties of working them by formerprocesses.

My present invention relatesto an apparatus for carrying out thesubstantial method described and claimed in that patent; but instead ofperforming the operation of removing the obstructions or loosening thesand or gravel prior to the removal of the gold-bearing material Iperform theseuoperations at substantially the same time, therebymaterially simplifying and facilitating the Work.

To this end the invention consists in providing a floating vesseladapted to be anchored over the bedof material which is to be re moved,in mounting on such a vessel a dredging device adapted to be moved backand forth over the material, and provided at its lower end with heavyteeth for loosening the' sand and gravel, or for removinganyobstructions which may be encountered, and in providing within thisdredging device a suction pipe through which sand or gravel may bepumped by means of a centrifugal or other pump mounted on the vessel toany desired point, where it may be subsequently treated for the removalof the metal desired.

. Although my invention, as explained, is preferably designed for themining of goldor other metals from the bottoms of rivers and lakes, itmaybe conveniently applied for other purposes, such as for the dredgingof channels in rivers and harbors which, owing to the hardness of thebottoms or to the presence of rocks, bowlders, or other obstructions,cannot be dredged by ordinary pump-dredging.

For a better comprehension of my invention, attention is directed to theaccompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification, and inwhich-- Figure 1 represents a front elevation of the preferred form ofapparatus, showing the same in actual operation; Fig. 2, a plan view ofthe same; Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, detached enlarged views of the dredgingand suction deemployed for strengthening this structure.

Mounted between each pair of standards B B is a heavy spud E, pointed atits lower end and adapted to be moved down into the bottom of the river,so as to anchor the scow firmly in place. While I prefer to employ spudsfor this purpose, it is obviousthat the scow may be anchored in anyother way.

On the top of the braces C at the bow and stern of the scow is mounted aheavy frame a, in bearings 17, which are supported on blocks 0, andmovable up and down within the collar a is a timber F, made of anysuitable shape in cross-section. It is evident that by mounting thistimber in the frame, as shown, it may be swung like a pendulum back andforth toward the side of the scow, and may be moved up and down withrespect to the water.

Rigidly secured to the bottom of the timber F is a pipe G, which forordinary use may be conveniently made of about twelve inches indiameter. This pipe G is guided in its swinging movements back and forthby means of a guidef. At the bottom of this pipe G is a heavycylindrical casting or pipe d, made, preferably, of steel and ofsufficient weight for the purpose. This casting or pipe is provided atits lower end with teeth 6 e riveted, bolted, or otherwise firmlysecured in place.

The bottom of the pipe G is provided with cross-bars g g, arranged withsufficient space between them to allow for the entrance of the sand orgravel and prevent the passage of obstructions of sufficient size todamage the pumps. Instead of these cross-bars g, it is obvious that agrating or heavy sieve may be made use of for the purpose.

The lower part of the pipe G and the casting cl are perforated withopenings h for the passage of water, sand, and gravel to thesuctioirpipe. The pipe G is provided at one side with a vertical slot 11therein, extending about half the entire length of said pipe G and ofsufficient width to allow for the introduction of the smallersuctionpipe. This suction pipe H ismade of some flexible material,preferably of heavy rubber tubing, or instead it may be made ofshort-jointed metallic sections. The lower end of this suction-pipe isprovided with a bell-mouthj, arranged adjacent to the bars g or gratingat the bottom of the pipe G. The other end of the suctionpipe H connectswith a powerful pump or pumps I, mounted on the deck of the scow A, andof any suitable construction. This pump is operated by a belt or otherconnection from an engine Z, supplied with steam from the boiler m,carried on the deck of the scow. The shaft of the engine Z is providedwith a pinion n, engaging with a gear-wheel 0, which operates a shaft 19to which, preferably, two windlasses q and r may be connected by anysuitable form of clutch when desired.

The Windlass q in the preferred construction operates a cable 8, whichpasses over blocks 25 t on the deck of the vessel, thence over a block10, secured to one of the spuds E, and is connected by means of an eye'1; to the casting d or to the lower part of the pipe G. The otherWindlass r operates a cable w, which passes over a block 00 on the deckof the scow, thence up and over a block y on one of the cross-pieces O,and is connected to an eye 2 at theJ other side of the pipe G near itsupper en The operation of the preferred form of apparatus shown in thedrawings and above described is as follows: The scow is propelled ortowed or otherwise moved to the desired point over the bed of sand orgravel containing the metal, and the spuds E are broughtdown intoengagement with the river bottom, so as to anchor the scow firmly inplace, as shown. The engine Z being operated, works the pump or pumps Icontinuously and produces a powerful suction through the pipe H. TheWindlass 'r is now thrown into engagement with the shaft 10, andoperating the cable 10 elevates the pipe G, carrying with it thesuction-pipe H, and moves said pipes over toward one side of the scow.The timber F swings like a pendulum in the collar a. The Windlass 'r isnow disconnected from the shaft 19, and the weight of the pipe G and theother elements carried thereby causes the lower end of the pipe to dropto the bottom of the river into engagement with the sand or gravel. Byproviding a long slot 11 in said pipe G the lower end of the pipe may belowered to any desired depth without elevating the suctionpipe H abovethe level of the pumps I, so that the material will be elevated by saidpumps directly from the bottom of the river or lake, and by extendingthe cable saround a pulley a, secured to one of the spuds, the saidcable will extend practically on a straight line from said pulleydirectly to the eyeo irrespective of the depth of water in which thedevice is working. The Windlass q is now connected to the shaft 19, andthe cable 8 being operated the lower end of the pipe G will be drawntoward the other side of the scow. The teeth 6 engaging with thematerial will remove any obstructions which may be encountered as saidpipe is opcrated. Then the metal-bearing sand or gravel is closelypacked, these teeth tend to loosen up the material. The suction producedby the pump or pumps I will elevate the sand or gravel through the pipeII and it will be deposited at any desired point for subsequenttreatment.

The holes h in the lower part of the pipe G supply water to thesuction-pipe H, so that there can be no possibility of the pump or pumpsbeing clogged up, and by providing bars 9 or a grating at the lower endof the pipe G said pump or pumps cannot become damaged by any largeobstructions. It is obvious that the lower portion of the suctionpipe Hmay be provided with holes therein corresponding to the holes h, andthrough which water, sand, and gravel may pass into said suction-pump.

While I prefer to make use of the construction above described, it willbe obvious that many modifications can be employed Without departingfrom the essential spirit of my invention. For example, instead ofemploying a cable to for the purpose of returning the pipe G to itsoperative position and at the same time elevating said pipe, a cablesimilar to the cable 8 may be made use of, whereby the device willoperate as the pipe G swings to either side of the scow, and it will benoted that when the device is to be used solely with material which ispacked tightly and where no obstructions are encountered the bars g orgrating may be dispensed with.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. An improved dredging apparatus, comprising a scow, a pipe G mountedin a collar pivoted in a frame-work carried on said scow so as to swingback and forth in engagement with the bottom, and be capable of verticaladjustment, means at the lower end of said pipe for removingobstructions, or for loosening tightly packed material, and a suctionpipe inside said swinging pipe G, for the purpose mentioned,substantially as set forth.

2. An improved dredging apparatus, comprising a scow, a pipe G mountedin a collar pivoted in a frame-work carried on said scow so as to swingback and forth in engagement with the bottom, and be capable of verticaladjustment, a grating at the lower end of said pipe, and a suction pipein said pipe G for the purpose mentioned, substantially as set forth.

3. An improved dredging apparatus, comprising a scow, a pipe G mountedin said scow so as to swing back and forth in engagement with thebottom, a grating at the bottom of said pipe, teeth secured rigidly tothe lower end of said pipe for the purpose mentioned, and a suction pipein said pipe G, substantially as set forth.

4:. An improved dredging apparatus, oomprisinga scow, a pipe G mountedin said scow so as to swing back and forth in engagement with thebottom, a grating at the lower end of said pipe, teeth e, e, secured tothe lower end of said pipe, a suction pipe H mounted in said pipe G withits lower end adjacent to said grating, and perforations h in the pipe Gfor supplying water, sand and gravel to said suction pipe, substantiallyas set forth.

5. An improved dredging apparatus, comprising a scow, a pipe G mountedin said scow so as to swing back and forth in engagement with thebottom, a slot 2' in said pipe G, and a suction pipe I-I mounted in saidpipe G and extending through said slot, substantially as set forth.

6. An improved dredging apparatus, comprising a scow, a pipe G mountedinsaid scow so as to swing back and forth in engagement with the bottom, aslot 2' in said pipe G, and

a flexible suction pipe in said pipe Gand extending through said slot,substantially as set forth.

7. An improved dredging apparatus, comprising a scow, a pipe G mountedin said scow so as to swing back and forth in engagement with thebottom, a suction pipe H in said pipe G, and a cable s for swinging saidpipe G in engagement with the bottom, toward one side of the scow,substantially as set forth.

8. An improved dredging apparatus, comprising a scow, a pipe G mountedin said scow so as to swing back and forth in engagement with thebottom, a suction pipe H mounted in said pipe G, a cable .5 for swingingsaid pipe G in engagement with the bottom, toward one side of the scow,and a cable to for elevating said pipe and moving the same toward theother side of the scow, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of the scow A, a pipe G mounted in said scow so as toswing back and forth, a grating g at the lower end of said pipe G, teethe, e, secured to the lower end of said pipe, perforations h at the lowerend of said pipe, a slot 41 in said pipe, 2. flexible suction pipe Hmounted in said pipe and extend ing through said slot, to the pump Iconnected with said suction pipe, an engine Z for continuously operatingsaid pump, windlasses q and r adapted to be connected with and operatedby said engine, a cable 3 operated by the Windlass q and connected withthe lower end of the pipe G for moving the same in engagement with thebottom, toward one side of the scow, and a cable 10 connected to andoperated by the Windlass r for elevating and returning the pipe G towardthe other side of the scow, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER MOD OUGALL.

Witnesses:

A. P. W001), CHAS. W. LELAND.

